Supplemental battery for an electric vehicle

ABSTRACT

An electric vehicle having an internal rechargeable battery which is recharged via a recharging connector. The electric vehicle has an external battery secured to an exterior of the electric vehicle. The external battery communicates electricity to the internal rechargeable battery via the recharging connector. The external battery being carried by a cantilevered platform from the electric vehicle, pulled by a trailer, or mounted to the roof of the electric vehicle.

PRIORITY

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application Serial No.17/803,241, entitled “Range Enhancing Platform” filed on Mar. 29, 2022;which was a continuation of U.S. Pat. Serial No. 17/300,768, filed onOct. 29, 2021, and entitled “Range Enhancing Platform”; which was acontinuation in part of U.S. Pat. Application, Serial No. 17/300,357,entitled “Range Enhancing Mechanism” filed on May 24, 2021, now U.S.Pat. No. 11,220,186.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electrical vehicles and moreparticularly to a ready and fast mechanism to provide an on-the-go“recharge” to the vehicle.

Electric vehicles are touted as being environmentally friendly and asbeing more economical to operate. Estimates are that per-mile costs forfuel/energy, the electric vehicle is about half the cost of gasolinevehicles. With the cost of gasoline and diesel rising, the consumer isevaluating the electric vehicles in greater depth.

The biggest limiting factor for the potential consumer of an electricvehicle, is the limited range between recharging the battery. Often thisrange is only 300-400 miles which is more than suitable for suburbandriving, but for interstate trips, the range limitation becomesproblematic.

Further, if the battery becomes spent or exhausted, then the vehicle isleft completely stranded. At the present time, the only solution is atow to the next charging station.

It is clear there is a need to improve electric vehicles in order tomake them acceptable to the general public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an assist apparatus for an electric vehicle whichis powered by rechargeable batteries. To assist in the range of theelectric vehicle, a platform is secured or towed by the vehicle. On theplatform is a hydrocarbon motor that generates electricity. Thehydrocarbon motor is activated, either manually via a handheldtransmitter, via a switch connected to the hydrocarbon motor, orautomatically by sensors in the electric vehicle to charge therechargeable batteries within the electric vehicle.

In general terms, the invention involves an assist apparatus for anelectric vehicle. The assist apparatus, when operating, provides astream of electricity to the rechargeable battery on the electricvehicle. It is contemplated that the assist apparatus would not be usedfor traditional commutes but would be applicable for longer distancespast the range of the electric vehicle’s rechargeable battery, typicallythrough a rental agency.

There are many versions of power systems used to recharge the battery.These include, but not limited to: U.S. Pat. No. 10,989,273, entitled“Power Unit” issued to Obrist et al. on Apr. 27, 2021; incorporatedhereinto by reference.

The assist apparatus involves a platform which is securable to thevehicle (hanging on the bumper, attached to the towing slide, or viatrailer) on which a traditional internal combustion engine is mounted.The internal combustion engine powers a generator and provideselectricity to re-charge the rechargeable battery traditionally found inan electric vehicle via an electrical cable/connection.

The preferred embodiment has the engine mounted on a cantilever platformfrom the rear of the vehicle.

Those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize a variety ofelectrical connections which may be employed in the context of chargingthe rechargeable battery, including, but not limited to: U.S. Pat. No.0,967,750, entitled “System and Method for Charging Plug-in HybridVehicle” issued to Lee et al. on Apr. 6, 2021; U.S. Pat. No. 10,989,087,entitled “Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle” issued to Yokoi on Apr. 27, 2021; allof which are incorporated hereinto by reference.

To operate the internal combustion engine, the preferred method is via aradio frequency handheld mechanism. The user, when they want to provideadditional charge to the rechargeable battery, activates the internalcombustion engine using he handheld transmitter; when done, the sameradio frequency handheld transmitter is used to deactivate the internalcombustion engine. In this way, the rechargeable battery is charged “onthe go” without having to stop at a charging station.

Radio Frequency mechanisms are well known in the art for activatingengines. These include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,558, entitled “Smart CarStarter” issued to Quesnel et al. on May 6, 2003; U.S. Pat. No.7,140,338, entitled “Snowmobile Remote Ignition System” Issued toJanisch on Nov. 28, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 10,189,442, entitled “RemoteVehicle Starter and Appliance Activation System” issued to Ford et al.on Jan. 29, 2019; all of which are incorporated hereinto by reference.

Further, should the electric vehicle become stranded due to a depletedrechargeable battery, a service provider is able to bring the assistapparatus to the site and recharge the battery, allowing the previouslystranded driver to continue.

Besides the handheld mechanism described above, in another embodiment,the electric vehicle is equipped with a sensor on the rechargeablebattery which activates, when needed, the assist apparatus.

A variety of mechanisms are used to monitor the rechargeable batteryincluding, but not limited to: U.S. Pat. no. 10,983,166, entitled“Estimation of Battery Parameters” issued to Hellgren et al. on Apr. 20,2021; U.S. Pat. No. 10,994,719, entitled “Method and Device forControlling Hybrid Vehicle” issued to Obata on May 4, 2021; U.S. Pat.No. 11,001,266, entitled “Hybrid Vehicle Drive System” issued toKasahara on May 11, 2021; all of which are incorporated hereinto byreference.

An important aspect of the present invention is the ability to protectthe assist apparatus from damage from impact with either another movingvehicle (being rear ended) or by backing into a solid object (e.g. awall). To provide this protection, a secondary bumper (preferably eithermetal or hardened rubber) issued. The preferred bumper is U-shaped andarranged around three sides of the platform.

In one embodiment of the invention, the secondary bumper contacts theprimary bumper on the electric vehicle allowing the electric vehicle’sbumper to provide more endurance to the secondary bumper.

In another embodiment, springs extend from the “legs” of the U-shapedsecondary bumper to engage (either on impact or all the time) with thevehicle’s bumper. The use of springs diminishes the possibility of doingserious damage on what would be considered a “minor” impact.

In yet another embodiment of the secondary bumper, collapsible cylindersare use in lieu of the springs. These collapsible cylinders arecrushable on impact and are readily replaced later.

As noted earlier, the platform and the assist apparatus are securable tothe bumper (hung from the bumper), are supported by a slide hitchreceptacle, or on a small trailer that is pulled by the electricvehicle. All of these embodiments make the present invention ideal forcommercialization through a rental organization such as an establishmentthat rents/leases cars and other items for over the road travel.

Those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize a variety oftrailer mechanisms, including, but not limited to those described in:U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,011, entitled “Utility Trailer” issued to Smith onOct. 22, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 10,308,158, entitled “Utility Trailer withMovable Bed” issued to Quenzi et al. on Jun. 4, 2019; all of which areincorporated hereinto by reference.

Slide attachments for towing tailers are also well known in the art andinclude: U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,524, entitled “Adjustable Trailer Hitch”issued to Laundry on Oct. 16, 2018; and U.S. Pat. No. 10,696,112,entitled “Lightweight Hitch Structure” issued to Meingast et al. on Jun.3, 2020; U.S. Pat. No. 10,836,225, entitled “Detachable Receiver” issuedto Robinson et al. on Nov. 17, 2020; all of which are incorporatedhereinto by reference.

Ideally, the internal combustion engine uses a variety of carbon basedfuels such as gasoline, diesel, propane, and natural gas.

In one embodiment of the invention, the charging engine is mountable tothe roof of the electric vehicle. In this embodiment, the driver of thevehicle does not have to change their driving/parking habits as thevehicle’s outside dimensions remain the same.

One embodiment of the invention is an electric vehicle having aninternal rechargeable battery. This rechargeable battery is rechargedvia a recharging connector. This embodiment of an electric vehicle hasan external battery secured to an exterior of the electric vehicle. Theexternal battery communicates electricity to the internal rechargeablebattery via the recharging connector. Ideally the external battery iscarried by a cantilevered platform from the electric vehicle, pulled bya trailer, or mounted to the roof of the electric vehicle.

As noted, the entire electric vehicle assembly of this embodimentemploys the internal rechargeable battery and the recharging connectorused to communicate electricity from an external source into theinternal rechargeable battery. In this assembly, an external battery isemployed and is secured to an exterior of the electric vehicle.Electricity from the external battery is communicated to the internalrechargeable battery via the recharging connector.

In the preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the external battery isa rechargeable battery allowing the external battery to be rechargedperiodically by the user.

The external battery is secured to the electric vehicle via a mountingmechanism which is either supported by the electric vehicle or is towedtherefrom.

Ideally, the external battery is supported by a cantilevered platformwhich is mountable to a slide secured to the electric vehicle. Otherembodiments mount the external battery onto the roof of the electricvehicle and still others place the external battery on a trailer to betowed by the electric vehicle. Ideally, the external battery isremovable from the platform.

Securing the external battery to any of these platforms is done througha variety of mechanisms. In one mechanism, the external battery includesprotruding teeth which engage with the mounting mechanism includesrecesses to engage the protruding teeth. In another mechanism, theopposite arrangement is done in which protruding teeth from the mountingmechanism engage recesses within the external battery. In yet anothermechanism used to secure the external battery to the platform, theexternal battery includes flanges which are grasped/compressed by themounting mechanism.

In all of these mounting mechanisms, ideally the external battery isselectively releasable from the mounting mechanism allowing the externalbattery to be replaced readily. Typically, this release is donemanually.

In one embodiment of the invention, an electric vehicle accessory iscreated which assists in the connecting and disconnecting of theexternal battery from the system. In this embodiment, the platform asoutlined above, is used. The platform has a mounting surface upon whichthe external electrical battery is placed. The external battery is heldin place using at least two engagement mechanisms which selectivelyengage the external battery to secure it to the mounting surface usingany of the techniques as outlined above to the platform.

The platform further includes an electrical connector which engages withan electrical connector from the external battery and selectivelycommunicates electricity from the external battery to the internalrechargeable battery. This connection is only accomplished when theengagement mechanism is engaged, which also connects the externalbattery as well.

Activation of the engagement mechanism and the relay switch connectingthe external battery to the electric vehicle’s electrical connector, isaccomplished either manually (ideally using a lever) or via anelectrical motor. an external battery placed on the mounting surface ofthe platform. The external battery has an electrical cable or cablesecurable to the electrical connector of the platform. By electricallyisolating the external battery from the internal rechargeable battery,the external battery can be removed safely.

The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will beexplained in detail by the accompanying drawings and the followingdescriptions thereof.

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention wherein the assist system is secured to the vehicle via atowing slide mount.

FIG. 2 is side view in which the assist system is being towed as atrailer.

FIG. 3 illustrates the internal combustion engine of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred secondary bumper protection of theassist system in which the secondary bumper contacts the bumper on thevehicle.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two embodiments which are meant to reducedamage due to impact of the secondary bumper.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the chargingengine is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred mounting of the auxiliary battery tothe electric vehicle.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate different mounting mechanisms for theauxiliary battery.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate alternative mounting/towing mechanisms forthe auxiliary battery.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the upper side of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the underside of the an embodiment ofthe invention relative to FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 illustrates a mounting platform.

DRAWINGS IN DETAIL

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention wherein the assist system is secured to the vehicle via atowing slide mount.

Referring to FIG. 1A, vehicle 10A has a slide mount 14A secured thereto.Platform 11A is secured into slide mount and presents a foundation forthe mounting of motor/generator 12A. Electrical energy frommotor/generator 12A is fed through electrical cable 15A which isconnected to receptacle 16A of the electric vehicle 10A.

Receptacle 16A is the traditional connector used to recharge therechargeable battery (not shown) within vehicle 10A. Unlike theillustration, in the preferred embodiment, receptacle 16A is positionedat the rear of vehicle 10A permitting easier connection with electricalcable 15A.

Activation and deactivation of motor/generator 12A is preferably donevia radio transmitter 17A which is illustrated exterior to vehicle 10A,but, in the ideal embodiment, the operator of vehicle 10A activates fromwithin vehicle 10A, to activate motor/generator 12A when the operatordeems that the rechargeable battery needs to be boosted.

Alternatively, sensor 17B monitors the charge within the rechargeablebattery and activates/deactivates motor/generator 12A when needed.

The embodiment, with the electrical connection within vehicle 10A, isillustrated in FIG. 1B. Again, platform 11B is secured to vehicle 10B onwhich is mounted motor/generator 12A. In this embodiment, electricalcable 15B is passed into trunk 17 to connect with receptacle 16B.Receptacle 16B is optionally created during manufacture of the electricvehicle 10B or is installed as an after-market item.

The embodiment of FIG. 1B provides more protection for the connectionbetween electrical cable 15B and receptacle 16B.

Mounting, and dismounting the assist apparatus to the vehicle is ideallydone as a two-step process. In mounting, first the platform is securedto the vehicle and then the motor/generator is secured to the platform.Dismounting is done in the reverse. This two-step process is easier duethe component’s weight.

FIG. 2 is side view in which the assist system is being towed as atrailer.

In this embodiment of the invention, vehicle 20 is equipped with a towbracket 25 which is secured to trailer 24. Motor/generator 23 is carriedby trailer 24. Power from the motor/generator 23 is communicated tovehicle 20 and its electrical receptacle 21 via electrical cable 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates the internal combustion engine of the presentinvention.

In the preferred embodiment, motor 30 is a typical internal combustionengine with its exhaust being muffled for noise concerns. Drive shaft 31from motor 30 drives generator 32 and the electricity therefrom iscommunicated to the vehicle (not shown) via electrical cable 37.

Motor 30 is powered by hydrocarbon s such as gasoline and diesel inliquid form. Cannister 35 is used to contain hydrocarbons in the gaseousstate such as propane and natural gas. Cannister 35 is securable toinlet 38 as indicated by arrows 36.

FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the U-shaped secondarybumper protection of the assist system in which the secondary bumpercontacts the bumper on the vehicle.

Bumper 40 is generally U shaped with end of the legs 42 proximate to thevehicle’s bumper 43. In this embodiment, legs 42 do not contact bumper43 except during impact. In other embodiments, legs 42 are held firmlyagainst bumper 43.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two embodiments which are meant to reducedamage due to impact of the secondary bumper.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a top view and side view of the preferred bumperused to protect the motor/generator, leg 51A (only one shown in thisillustration) are hollow and contain a spring 52 which extends from leg51A so that on impact with the bumper, leg 51A is forced (arrow 54A)toward the electric vehicle’s bumper 50A, allowing spring 52 to absorbthe impacts force to minimize damage to bumper protecting the motorgenerator.

In FIG. 5B, a collapsible cannister 53A is secured to leg 51A. When theleg 51A and cannister 53A, are pressed against the vehicle’s bumper 50B,collapsible cannister “crumbles” 53B as shown by arrow 54B. Thiscrumbling absorbs the impact force to minimize damage.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the chargingengine is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, platform and charging engine 61 are mounted on theroof of vehicle 60. Power from charging engine 61 is communicated to thebattery (not shown) within the vehicle 60 via electrical cable 62.

FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred mounting of the auxiliary battery tothe electric vehicle.

Electric vehicle 70 has an internal rechargeable battery (not shown) asdiscussed above. A recharging connector 75 is used to charge theinternal rechargeable battery as discussed above. Electricity from anexternal source (not shown) is communicated to the internal rechargeablebattery via the recharging connector 75.

External battery 73 (ideally rechargeable) is secured to an exterior ofthe electric vehicle 70 via a cantilevered platform or mountingmechanism 71 which is secured to the vehicle via a slide connector 72. Asimilar such platform is discussed in FIG. 4 herein.

An electrical connection 74 electrically connects, via the rechargingconnector 75, the external battery to the internal rechargeable battery,thereby extending the life of internal rechargeable battery.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate different mounting mechanisms for theauxiliary battery.

Referring to FIG. 8A, external battery 80A includes flanges 79 which areselectively grasped by the mounting mechanisms 82A and 82B as indicatedby arrows 83. This compression by flanges 79, secures the externalbattery to the platform or mounting mechanism (not shown). Flanges 79are slidably secured to the mounting mechanism (not shown).

FIG. 8B is another method of securing the external battery to themounting platform. In this embodiment, external battery 80B has a basemember 81B which includes openings 85A and 85B which receive teeth 86Atherein when tooth mechanism 84A and 84B are pressed as indicated byarrows 78. Movement of tooth mechanisms 84A and 84B, is ideallyaccomplished by an electric motor.

In yet another method, FIG. 8C secures the external battery to themounting platform. In this embodiment, external battery 80C has a basemember 81C which include teeth which are engaged by recesses withinmovable blocks 85B. Movement of blocks 85B, as indicated by arrows 77,is accomplished by manually through levers 87 which are moved asindicated by arrows 88.

In all of the mounts of FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the external battery iseasily installed and released so that it can be replaced at will.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate alternative mounting/towing mechanisms forthe auxiliary battery.

FIG. 9A illustrates a top mount for the external battery in a similarfashion to that described relative to FIG. 6 . In FIG. 9A though,external battery 90 is secured to mounting mechanism 92 located on theroof of electric vehicle 93A. Electricity from external battery 90A iscommunicated using conduit/electrical wire 95A via connector 91.

FIG. 9B is similar to the arrangement discussed in FIG. 2 . For theexternal battery embodiment, trailer 94 has a mounting mechanism asdiscussed above to mount the external battery 90B thereto. In thisillustration, the connector for the electrical connection is locatedwithin the trunk of electric vehicle 93B and is accessed usingelectrical conduit wire 95B.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the upper side of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the underside of the an embodiment ofthe invention relative to FIG. 10A

Referring to both figures, the electric vehicle accessory of thisembodiment interacts with the internal rechargeable battery within theelectric vehicle. In this embodiment, platform 100A (its underside 100B)is secured to the electric vehicle by insert 101 as described above.This embodiment is also applicable for the roof mounted application andthe trailer application.

Platform 100A has a mounting surface 113 which includes, in thisillustration, four engagement mechanisms 103, each having a prong/finger104. These prongs/fingers 104, when the engagement mechanism 103 ispressed against battery 102, and engage recesses 105 to secure theelectric battery 102 to the surface 113 of platform 100A.

This engagement is ideally accomplished manually using lever 109 whichis rotated as indicated by arrow 108. Movement of lever 109, causesinternal rod 112 to rotate which moves connecting rods 104 to move theengagement mechanisms 104 to selectively engage or disengage with thebattery 102. Alternatively, electric motor 110 is used in lieu of themanually operated lever 108.

Movement of lever 109 also causes relay switch 103 to selectively closeor open. Relay switch 103 controls the operation of electrical connector106 which receives electricity from battery 102 via electrical line 114and selectively passes the electricity from battery 102 to therechargeable battery (not shown) via electrical line 103. In thismanner, movement of lever allows the operator selectively electricallyconnect or isolate battery 102 from the rechargeable battery (not shown)within the electric vehicle. This provides additional safety for theoperator.

FIG. 11 illustrates a mounting platform.

Battery 123 is placed onto platform 120. To secure the battery 123 tothe platform 120, engagement mechanisms 121A and 121B to move and engagebattery 123 as outlined above.

It is clear that the present invention provides for an improvement forelectric vehicles in order to make these vehicles more acceptable to thegeneral public.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric vehicle assembly, said electricvehicle having an internal rechargeable battery with a rechargingconnector for communicating electricity from an external source into theinternal rechargeable battery, said electric vehicle comprising: a) anexternal battery secured to an exterior of the electric vehicle; and, b)an electrical connection electrically connecting, via the rechargingconnector, the external battery to the internal rechargeable battery. 2.The electric vehicle assembly according to claim 1, further including amounting mechanism for selectively securing the external battery to theelectric vehicle.
 3. The electric vehicle assembly according to claim 2,a) wherein the electric vehicle includes a slide mount for receiving acantilevered platform; b) further including a cantilevered platformsecured to the slide mount; and, c) wherein the mounting mechanism issecured to the cantilevered platform.
 4. The electric vehicle assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein the external battery includes protrudingteeth and wherein the mounting mechanism includes recesses to engage theprotruding teeth.
 5. The electric vehicle assembly according to claim 3,wherein the mounting mechanism has protruding teeth engaging recesseswithin the external battery.
 6. The electric vehicle assembly accordingto claim 3, wherein the external battery includes flanges which areselectively grasped by the mounting mechanism.
 7. The electric vehicleassembly according to claim 6, wherein the mounting mechanism compressesthe flanges of the electric battery.
 8. The electric vehicle assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein the mounting mechanism selectivelyreleases the external battery manually.
 9. The electric vehicle assemblyaccording to claim 2, a) wherein the electric vehicle includes a trailerhitch adapted to selectively secure a trailer to the electric vehicle;b) further including a wheeled trailer; and, c) wherein the mountingmechanism is secured to the wheeled trailer.
 10. The electric vehicleassembly according to claim 2, wherein the mounting mechanism is securedto a roof of the electric vehicle.
 11. An accessory assembly for anelectric vehicle being powered solely by an internal rechargeablebattery with a recharging connector for communicating electricity froman external source into the internal rechargeable battery, saidaccessory assembly having an external battery secured to an exterior ofthe electric vehicle, said external rechargeable battery communicatingelectricity to the internal rechargeable battery via the rechargingconnector.
 12. The accessory assembly according to claim 11, furtherincluding a mounting mechanism for selectively securing the externalbattery to the electric vehicle.
 13. The accessory assembly according toclaim 12, wherein the external battery includes protruding teeth andwherein the mounting mechanism engages the protruding teeth.
 14. Theaccessory assembly according to claim 12, wherein the external batteryincludes flanges which are selectively grasped by the mountingmechanism.
 15. The accessory assembly according to claim 12, wherein theexternal battery is rechargeable.
 16. An electric vehicle accessory,said electric vehicle having an internal rechargeable battery with arecharging connector for communicating electricity from an externalsource into the internal rechargeable battery, said electric vehicleaccessory comprising: a) a platform externally securable to the electricvehicle, said platform having, 1) a mounting surface, 2) at least twoengagement mechanisms, 3) an electrical connector, and, 4) a connectingelectrical cable extending from the electrical connector and connectableto the recharging connector; b) an external battery placed on themounting surface of the platform, said external battery having anelectrical cable securable to the electrical connector of the platform;and, c) wherein the platform further includes an activation mechanismwhich selectively, 1) compresses the at least two engagement mechanismsto the external battery to secure the external battery to the mountingsurface, and, 2) electrically connects the external battery to theconnecting electrical cable of the platform.
 17. The electric vehicleaccessory according to claim 16, wherein the activation mechanism ismanually operated.
 18. The electric vehicle accessory according to claim16, wherein the activation mechanism is electrically operated.
 19. Theelectric vehicle accessory according to claim 16 wherein, a) the atleast two engagement mechanisms include pins extending therefrom; and,b) the external battery includes recesses for receipt of the pins of theat least two engagement mechanisms.